Changes Outlined For Orange and Blue Debut

Published April 2nd, 2013

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GAINESVILLE-Head coach Will Muschamp announced on Tuesday that the format for the 2013 Orange and Blue Debut, presented by Sunniland, will be a unique open practice for fans instead of a game, due to numerous injuries which has left the Gators with just six offensive linemen. The format will be similar to the previous 14 practices the Gators have conducted this spring, with some special additions to enhance the experience for fans.

Before, during and after the practice, Coach Muschamp will address the crowd to give them an inside look and an explanation of some of the drills and scrimmage situations the team will be running. The team will still have several 11-on-11 scrimmage periods, but there will also be periods of special teams and individual work mixed in that will closely resemble a normal Gator football practice.

With the altered format, Sunniland and the Florida Farm Bureau have partnered with the University Athletic Association to make the event free for the public. All pre-purchased tickets for the Orange and Blue Debut will be refunded at full cost. Although the event will be free, fans with tickets in luxury seating areas will still need a ticket for entry into the luxury areas.

Even though admission is free on Saturday, the normal game day stadium policies and prohibited items will still be enforced for the safety of all fans in attendance.

For fans that purchased tickets with a credit card, all monies will be credited back to the card that was used. If a fan purchased with cash or a check, a refund check will be mailed to the account holder's address. Please contact the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, ext. 6800 for all inquiries.

Florida Farm Bureau customers who had received free admission coupons for the Orange and Blue Debut may redeem each coupon for a 50% discount on a full-priced ticket - a $25 value -- for the Gators' season-opener versus Toledo on Aug. 31, or for the game against Georgia Southern on Nov. 23. The coupons may be redeemed beginning May 15 at the Gator Ticket Office at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during regular business hours, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets are subject to availability.

In addition to the Orange and Blue Debut, there are several other events happening around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and around campus on Saturday morning. The annual Gator Locker Room Yard Sale will begin outside Gate 9 of the stadium at 9 a.m., and shortly after the Verizon Fan Fest will be held in the North End Zone lawn at 10:00 a.m. Per tradition before Gator home football games, the team will hold Gator Walk at 10:30 a.m. and enter the stadium from University Avenue.

Fans can enter the stadium through Gates 1-4, 7, 12, 15 and 18 beginning at 11:30 a.m. and can sit in the West stands, East stands, Lower South stands and Lower North stands. Luxury seating areas will be open only for those with tickets for the luxury areas.

Prior to the start of the Orange and Blue Debut, the Florida Players Network will hold its second annual Flag Football Game, featuring former Gator football players from years past.